PNP holds historical edge, but JLP eyes back-to-back wins in St Ann NW

The race for the St Ann North Western constituency could be a tightly contested one between the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Krystal Lee and the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Gabriela Morris.

Both candidates bring strong credentials to the table. Lee, who unseated the PNP’s two-term Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Dayton Campbell in 2020, will be seeking re-election. Morris, a former senator and newcomer to electoral politics, hopes to reclaim the seat for the PNP in a constituency that recorded a 39.41 per cent voter turnout from 37,037 eligible voters in the last general election.

Historically, the PNP has dominated the seat, winning 10 times since 1959, compared to the JLP’s five. However, whenever the JLP has managed to win, it has followed up with a second consecutive victory. After five initial wins by the PNP, the JLP’s Princess Lawes broke through in 1980 and retained the seat in 1983 – a year the PNP did not contest. The PNP then won three straight, with Burchell Whiteman in 1989 and 1993, and Arnold Bertram in 1997. The JLP responded with two consecutive wins: Verna Parchment in 2002 and Othneil Lawrence in 2007. Campbell took it back for the PNP in 2011 and 2016 before Lee’s 2020 victory.

So, the question heading into the September 3 general election is whether Lee can extend the JLP’s pattern of back-to-back wins – or if Morris will disrupt that cycle.

Although both candidates previously declined to comment when approached by The Gleaner, they spoke briefly on Nomination Day.

“We have a record of achievements here in St Ann North Western and, of course, the Jamaica Labour Party has a record of achievements across the country for almost nine years,” Lee said.

“The people of St Ann North Western, for the most part, they have seen the work that we have put in as a Jamaica Labour Party Government and myself here as a first-time member of parliament. They appreciate it and I believe with all my heart that they will consider this on election day on September 3.”

Since being nominated, Lee has been touring the constituency, engaging the constituents and wooing voters.

“And of course promoting our achievements; reminding them of all the work that we’ve been doing and all that we intend to do,” she added.

Lee served as councillor for the Retreat division in the St Mary Municipal Corporation before being drafted to challenge Campbell for the seat in 2020, winning easily by 2,106 votes, polling 7,846 to Campbell’s 5,740.

Meanwhile, Morris became the youngest senator in Jamaica’s history when she was appointed in 2020 at age 23 by then PNP President Dr Peter Phillips. In July 2022, she was elected president of the PNP Youth Organisation.

Expressing gratitude for the support she’s received, Morris said she and her team will continue engaging residents right up to election day.

“We’re looking forward to sharing our plan of development for the next five years with the people of North West St Ann because I’ve listened and I’ve heard their cries for representation, for proper infrastructure, for youth opportunities, for agricultural development, for bringing tourism into our communities and I am prepared to deliver that to them,” Morris said.

Positioning herself as a grassroots candidate who listens and acts, Morris said she is ready and waiting to work with them, “so that we can see a better North West St Ann”.

“The energy is high. The PNP is organised and ready, and we’re looking forward to a victory on September 3,” she added.

editorial@gleanerjm.com

St Ann North West winners through the years

1959 – PNP - LA Wedderburn

1962 – PNP - Elon B Wilson

1967 – PNP - Elon B Wilson

1972 – PNP - Elon B Wilson

1976 – PNP - Arnold Bertram

1980 - JLP - Princess Lawes

1983 – JLP - Princess Lawes (The PNP did not contest this election)

1989 – PNP - Burchell Whiteman

1993 – PNP - Burchell Whiteman

1997 - PNP - Arnold Bertram

2002 - JLP - Verna Parchment

2007 - JLP - Othneil Lawrence

2011 - PNP - Dayton Campbell

2016 - PNP - Dayton Campbell

2020 - JLP - Krystal Lee